Palo Alto Weekly Photo Contest Winners: An Eye on the World

Weekly Photo Contest winners capture images from near and far

by Nick Veronin

The Peninsula is an eclectic place, filled with bright young minds and sagely understanding wits. Here we find travelers of all ages. Some were born in the United States and thirst to know more about the world beyond this country's borders. Others were born elsewhere and have come to this flourishing corner of America seeking opportunity.

However, what all of the following people, winners of the 2009 Palo Alto Weekly Photo Contest, have in common is a keen eye for the visual aesthetic.

Tim Aiken and Jack Simon, both of whom have lived in Palo Alto for the majority of their lives, bring us striking images from abroad -- the former from the tropical waters of the Philippines and the latter from the Land of the Rising Sun. Conversely it is a native Russian, Leon Brauer, who brings us a breathtaking vista from our own backyard.

All of this year's winners celebrate photography's capacity to capture the little moments -- moments that individually may seem mundane but which in sum form the magnificent fabric of our lives.

In recognition of their artistry, first-place adult winners received $250 cash, a $100 gift certificate to University Art and a one-year membership to the Palo Alto Art Center. Second-place adult winners received $200 and a $100 gift certificate to Jungle Digital. Third-place winners received $100 and a $100 gift certificate to Bear Images.

Youth first-place winners received $100. Second-place youth winners received a $50 gift certificate to University Art, and third-place youth winners received a $25 gift certificate to University Art.
To watch a video of the judging process, featuring art photographer and teacher Brigitte Carnochan, photographer and teacher Angela Buenning Filo, landscape photographer David Hibbard and Weekly photographer Veronica Weber, go to www.PaloAltoOnline.com.

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